*Youtube Chris Tomlin-Fear Not & play in background while you read quietly, then listen carefully again after. Amazing*
Okay, tonight we are looking at chapter 3 and I am so excited to share my thoughts with you :)
This chapter has to be my favorite chapter... so far (haha). If I were to encourage someone, this would be where I would go to!
What happiness and contentment he is talking about here, get ready for a lot of quotes!!
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they bring you prosperity". (verse 1 & 2)
Prosperity is described as 'success', 'luxury', 'comfort', 'plenty' and is compared to milk and honey. WOW!!!
It is so easy for us to go everyday without even thinking about God's work and how it is applicable to us, every moment should be spent walking with God that will ultimately result in changes in our decisions, friends, hobbies etc. We will grow and be strengthened to be a better person than we once were, reach out a little further to those people. It wont be easy but my oh my it will be glorious!
"Faithfulness" is defined as 'loyalty', 'consistency' and is displayed in steady allegiance or affection. A few other things used to describe faithfulness are the following:
-To be reliable
-To be trusted
This brings me straight to Jesus, our truest of friends, the only true, reliable and never-failing Father.
All through the bible Jesus is portrayed as a friend to the sick, the UNfaithful, the broken... that's us guys!!!!!
But God is not ashamed, he is not dismayed... he longs for us even more- his love is limitless, blessings impossible to count! What an amazing inspiration we have been given in friendship, through friendship.
When I was in Sunday School as a child a verse we had to learn was from (5 & 6).
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight".
I just LOVE that, what an incredible life motto.
There is soooo much in life that is unknown, so many unexpected trials that, lets be honest sometimes hit us all at once, like 1 raindrop after another and it can really shake us...
That's the point! Sometimes we NEED to be shaken, we need to be challenged to love more, forgive, to reach out more, to fully rely on God and God alone... Not to rely in 'the job', the husband or wife who hasn't come home, not the sick baby who was taken from you too soon or the struggling someone you love is going through. These things are HUGE...and have the ability to shake us, the wrong way. But guess what? God is bigger than them all and he will not give you more than you can handle.
Let Go of those worries about the next step, the stress that controls your life, give it all to God.
This something my husband and I have personally been struggling with right now... we are anxious about the 'next steps' and how they will fall into place. We have the initial 'GO', that peace... yet it is getting so easy to doubt in that 'peace that passes all understanding'.
I urge you to find that peace that passes all understanding, you will only find it through him. He has our every breath mapped out.
"My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight, they will be life to you" (verse 21) This means even when it is easier to support and 'go along' with something you know is wrong... do NOT. Stick with God and he will reward you for doing so. Let your actions truly mirror what's in your heart and what is therefore in God's heart and not one tiny bit less.
God will in return, protect you and stand beside you for standing your ground about something biblical. You may feel you are standing alone, but remember you are not alone, God is with you and he will cherish you for decisions like this. Let your life be a reflection of Christ.
"When you lie down you will not be afraid, when you lie down your sleep will be sweet". (verse 24)
That verse reminds me to find rest in him! Spend that time with him daily friends, find time to pray consistently, not just 'when it suits your schedule', God is not an event to be scheduled, he is your eternity. Do you realize that?
Take the time to get to know him more and really let him teach you his ways. Let him guide your every step holding your hand.
Bethany Joy
Okay, tonight we are looking at chapter 3 and I am so excited to share my thoughts with you :)
This chapter has to be my favorite chapter... so far (haha). If I were to encourage someone, this would be where I would go to!
What happiness and contentment he is talking about here, get ready for a lot of quotes!!
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they bring you prosperity". (verse 1 & 2)
Prosperity is described as 'success', 'luxury', 'comfort', 'plenty' and is compared to milk and honey. WOW!!!
It is so easy for us to go everyday without even thinking about God's work and how it is applicable to us, every moment should be spent walking with God that will ultimately result in changes in our decisions, friends, hobbies etc. We will grow and be strengthened to be a better person than we once were, reach out a little further to those people. It wont be easy but my oh my it will be glorious!
"Faithfulness" is defined as 'loyalty', 'consistency' and is displayed in steady allegiance or affection. A few other things used to describe faithfulness are the following:
-To be reliable
-To be trusted
This brings me straight to Jesus, our truest of friends, the only true, reliable and never-failing Father.
All through the bible Jesus is portrayed as a friend to the sick, the UNfaithful, the broken... that's us guys!!!!!
But God is not ashamed, he is not dismayed... he longs for us even more- his love is limitless, blessings impossible to count! What an amazing inspiration we have been given in friendship, through friendship.
When I was in Sunday School as a child a verse we had to learn was from (5 & 6).
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight".
I just LOVE that, what an incredible life motto.
There is soooo much in life that is unknown, so many unexpected trials that, lets be honest sometimes hit us all at once, like 1 raindrop after another and it can really shake us...
That's the point! Sometimes we NEED to be shaken, we need to be challenged to love more, forgive, to reach out more, to fully rely on God and God alone... Not to rely in 'the job', the husband or wife who hasn't come home, not the sick baby who was taken from you too soon or the struggling someone you love is going through. These things are HUGE...and have the ability to shake us, the wrong way. But guess what? God is bigger than them all and he will not give you more than you can handle.
Let Go of those worries about the next step, the stress that controls your life, give it all to God.
This something my husband and I have personally been struggling with right now... we are anxious about the 'next steps' and how they will fall into place. We have the initial 'GO', that peace... yet it is getting so easy to doubt in that 'peace that passes all understanding'.
I urge you to find that peace that passes all understanding, you will only find it through him. He has our every breath mapped out.
"My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight, they will be life to you" (verse 21) This means even when it is easier to support and 'go along' with something you know is wrong... do NOT. Stick with God and he will reward you for doing so. Let your actions truly mirror what's in your heart and what is therefore in God's heart and not one tiny bit less.
God will in return, protect you and stand beside you for standing your ground about something biblical. You may feel you are standing alone, but remember you are not alone, God is with you and he will cherish you for decisions like this. Let your life be a reflection of Christ.
"When you lie down you will not be afraid, when you lie down your sleep will be sweet". (verse 24)
That verse reminds me to find rest in him! Spend that time with him daily friends, find time to pray consistently, not just 'when it suits your schedule', God is not an event to be scheduled, he is your eternity. Do you realize that?
Take the time to get to know him more and really let him teach you his ways. Let him guide your every step holding your hand.
Bethany Joy